Chennai Shuts Down As Jayalalithaa Remains Critical

Roads were deserted as shops downed shutters.

Supporters of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa react outside the hospital where she is being treated after false reports that she had died.

NEW DELHI -- A near bandh like situation prevailed in the city with shops and other establishments downing shutters and office goers returning home early as Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's health condition continued to remain critical today.

The entire area in and around Apollo Hospitals, where she is being treated since September 22, resembled a fortress with traffic completely halted on the road leading to the hospital and a heavy police posse deployed.

At the hospital hundreds of AIADMK party workers continued to stay put and raised slogans saying their beloved 'Amma' should recover.